Tag: nose tackle

Report: Broncos trying to re-sign nose tackle Mike Purcell

The Broncos are trying to re-sign nose tackle Mike Purcell.

The Denver Broncos are trying to re-sign restricted free agent nose tackle Mike Purcell, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

If the Broncos are unable to reach a deal with Purcell, the team will tender him, according to Klis. It’s unclear if Denver would use a second-round tender or an original round tender on Purcell.

If the Broncos used a second-round tender, the team would have to pay Purcell about $4.667 million. Other teams would then be allowed to make offers to Purcell and if Denver opted not to match an offer, Purcell’s new team would have to trade their second-round pick to the Broncos.

If Denver used an original-round tender on Purcell, he would be set to earn about $2.144 million. Because Purcell entered the league as an undrafted free agent, using an original-round tender would be a little risky. If he receives an original-round tender, a team wouldn’t have to trade a draft pick to the Broncos if they made Purcell an offer that Denver was unwilling to match.

Note: The tender numbers used above were calculated before the NFL set the salary cap for the 2020 season. The figures might not be exact but the ratios are similar: a second-round tender would likely be worth about double an original-round tender. 

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Michael Brockers suggests Broncos should use 1st-round pick on defensive lineman

Michael Brockers thinks the Broncos should target a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

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The Denver Broncos have the 15th overall pick in the draft this year and there’s been debate among fans and pundits on what position the team should target with that pick. Should the Broncos go after a wide receiver? Perhaps an offensive lineman?

Michael Brockers, a Los Angeles Rams pending free agent defensive lineman, suggested during a recent appearance on NFL Network that Denver should target a defensive lineman in the first round.

“You’re losing two starters on your defensive line, you’re [likely] losing a corner in free agency,” Brockers said. “Usually teams like to start building inside out, so I would say defensive line first.

“That’s just me, subjectively, picking a defensive player, a guy that’s going to get after the quarterback and stop the run. That might be your first choice [in the draft].”

Broncos defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris, as well as cornerback Chris Harris, are all scheduled to become free agents on March 18. Although he is admittedly biased, Brockers believes Denver should focus on finding replacements for Wolfe and Harris early in the draft.

The top defensive linemen in this year’s class are Chase Young, Derrick Brown, Javon Kinlaw and A.J. Epenesa, according to Draft Wire.

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PFF predicts Broncos will sign DL Michael Pierce during NFL free agency

Will the Broncos sign Ravens free agent defensive lineman Michael Pierce this offseason?

With defensive linemen Derek Wolfe, Shelby Harris and Adam Gotsis all set to become unrestricted free agents, the Denver Broncos will undoubtedly need to add more depth at defensive end and nose tackle this offseason.

One potential candidate for the Broncos to consider is Baltimore Ravens free agent defensive lineman Michael Pierce. The 27-year-old defender spent the first four years of his career in Baltimore, totaling 151 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus published a list predicting where the top 50 free agents will land this offseason and he has Denver signing Pierce to a three-year, $15 million contract with $6.5 million guaranteed.

To be clear, this is not a report that the Broncos are interesting in Pierce nor a report that he will land a $5 million-per-year contract. It’s merely a prediction from Treash — it’s a logical prediction, though.

As noted above, Denver will need reinforcements on the defensive line in 2020 and Pierce (6-0, 345 pounds) could be a good fit in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense. He’s a name to keep an eye on as NFL free agency approaches.

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Contract extension details with Texans NT Brandon Dunn revealed

Contract details have been revealed on the new extension for Houston Texans nose tackle Brandon Dunn.

Details have emerged regarding the contract extension the Houston Texans reached with nose tackle Brandon Dunn on Wednesday.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans agreed to a three-year contract worth $12 million.

Dunn signed a one-year contract worth $2 million in 2019. Now, the 27-year-old from Louisville is set to make $4 million per year.

The Texans still have a decision to make along their interior defensive line with defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who is set to be a free agent on March 18. With the club paying Dunn $4 million a year, it shows the ballpark that they are trying to get into with Reader.

Over Dunn’s 59 games with the Texans, 24 of which he started, the 6-2, 310-pounder produced 78 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

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Texans sign NT Brandon Dunn to contract extension

The Houston Texans have announced the signing of nose tackle Brandon Dunn to a contract extension.

The Houston Texans have agreed to a contract extension with nose tackle Brandon Dunn.

The club announced the extension with the 27-year-old on Wednesday afternoon. Details of the contract were not given.

Dunn produced 25 tackles, one tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and four quarterback hits in 16 games with the Texans in 2019, six of which he started.

The former Louisville Cardinal joined the Texans on Oct. 13, 2015, after spending his first season and a half with the Chicago Bears. Dunn bounced on and off the Texans’ practice squad and active roster for the next two seasons until solidifying himself as a contributor in 2017. In total, Dunn has played 59 games for Houston, making 24 starts, and recording 78 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

The signing of the 6-2, 310-pounder gives the Texans a solid interior defensive lineman for now. Houston still has another defensive tackle set to be a free agent on March 18 in D.J. Reader.

Broncos claim DL Joel Heath off waivers

The Broncos claimed former Texans defensive lineman Joel Heath off waivers.

In addition to signing 15 players to reserve/future contracts, the Denver Broncos also acquired a player off waivers on Tuesday.

The Broncos claimed nose tackle Joel Heath, who was waived by the Houston Texans on Saturday. Denver will officially acquire Heath’s rights on Feb. 3, the day after Super Bowl LIV.

It’s an interesting move for the Broncos because Heath is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. Denver might be planning to place a tender on the 6-6, 302-pound defensive lineman.

Heath entered the league as a college free agent out of Michigan State with the Texans in 2016. He played in 25 games in his first two years in the NFL, totaling 32 tackles and three sacks. Heath was plagued by injuries during the 2018 season and only dressed for two games this year.

Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell and Kyle Peko were the Broncos’ nose tackles this season. All three of those players are set to become free agents in 2020, but Purcell and Peko will be restricted free agents.

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